Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The sixth largest city in the United States, Philadelphia has population that exceedes 1.4 million people.

One of the most prolific companies to call Philladelphia home is Comcast Corporation, and leading employers include University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson Health System, Tenet Health Systems, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross and Rosenbluth International.

Philadelphians pay a 7% tax in restaurants and 10% on all liquor purchases. In hotels, the tax on rooms is 14%. Philadelphia – the whole state of Pennsylvania, in fact – charges no sales tax on clothing!

Weather

Most longtime locals agree that Philadelphia enjoys four distinct seasons – hockey, basketball, baseball and football. In terms of weather, summer temperatures can sometimes reach into the 90s in the middle of the city, and the humidity is often high. During winter, snowfall is common; temperatures usually hover in the 30s but can dip lower during cold snaps. The spring and fall see milder temperatures, with the latter often experiencing extended dry spells.

Holidays & Business Hours

Many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours on state and federal holidays. Policies vary, but these are generally observed:

Coming & Going

The primary entry point for travelers is Philadelphia International Airport, which offers non-stop flights to over 30 international destinations and is serviced by 30 airline carriers. Regular SEPTA bus and high-speed rail ($5.50, one way) services connect the airport to City Center and many points in between. Taxis from the airport into City Center charge a flat rate of $26.25, and there's a $10 minimum to travel from the airport to any destination.

Not to be easily outdone, Amtrak also brings a significant number of travelers into the City of Brotherly Love – enough, it seems, for the 30th Street Station to be the country's 3rd busiest.

Making Your Way

Thanks to SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) buses, subway, high-speed rail, trackless trolley, regional rail and paratransit services, the Countines of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia combine to offer one of the country's most extensive multi-modal networks for public transport. Cash is taken on all modes, with buses, subways and trolleys charging $2; regional rail varying by zone; and paratransit costing $3.50. Buses, subways, trolleys and paratransit also accept tokens, which can be purchased from machines for $1.30 each. A great deal, SEPTA day passes for unlimited travel are available for $5.50.

If you plan to "cab it" around the city, be aware that rates have been established by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and taxis charge a minimum of $2.70 for the first 1/7 mile and around $.30 for each additional 1/7 mile. Tips are generally expected to equal 15% of the fare, and most companies now take all major credit cards.

City Cab
215-492-6500

Liat Taxicab
215-275-1429

Olde City Taxi Coach
215-247-7678

PHL Taxi
215-232-2000

Quaker City Cab
215-728-8000

Victory Cab
215-225-500

Yellow Cab
215-333-3333

News & Views

The city's most widely-read daily paper for regional, national and international news has historically been the Philadelphia Inquirer, but many residents prefer the Daily News when it comes to local coverage. There are also numerous specialized publications that appear weekly, including the Spanish-language Al Día, Philadelphia Gay News and Philadelphia Tribune, the voice of the city's African-American community. For goings on in the entertainment world, look to weeklies like City Paper and Philadelphia Weekly, both of which feature good coverage of what's going on in and around town. Keep track with the business scene by picking up an issue of the Philadelphia Business Journal, which appears weekly. Last but not least, Philadelphia Magazine is an upbeat city magazine with features on everything from A & E and restaurants to weddings and travel.

Quirks & Curiosities

Aside from "what's wrong with the Eagles," one of the most contentious topics in the city is where to find the best Philly cheese steak. By and large, most of the places that claim to specialize in this signature sandwich do good work, but there are a few joints like Pat's and Geno's that are traditional standouts.

Also on the restaurant scene, Philadelphia is home to an unusually large number of small, chef-owned BYOB restaurants. Despite their small size and, often, lack of any type of bar service, these restaurants are characterized by their coziness and, most importantly, inventive cookery.

Getting Your Bearings

If this is your first trip, Philadelphia's wealth of diversions can be overwhelming. Extensive online information is available at www.gophila.com, the Website for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. For more direct service, there's the Independence Visitor Center (www.independencevisitorcenter.com or 800-537-7676), which is located in Independence National Historical Park and open daily from 8:30am-9pm.

Necessities - Post Offices

Postal drop-boxes are easy to find, but if you need further help from the USPS, visit these convenient branches:

B. Free Franklin
316 Market St
215-592-9610
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Continental
615 Chestnut St Lobby
215-592-9610
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm

William Penn Annex
900 Market St Lobby
215-592-8654
Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm

Penns Landing Postal Store
622 S 4th St, Ste 1
215-462-1248
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-4pm

Penn Center
1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Ste C-31
215-895-8970
Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm

Common Courtesies

In Philly, a 15% tip is standard for a waiter or waitress; groups are sometimes charged an automatic 18% gratuity. Bartenders usually get $1 per cocktail. Coat-check clerks should be tipped about $1 per garment.

Bellhops and porters should get about $1 per piece of luggage, and maids in more sophisticated hotels rate $1 or more per day of service. Depending on the type and quality of assistance, concierges generally receive between $5 and $15 dollars.